| THE SWALLOWS OF CAPISTRANO
by Sara
Each year the "Scout Swallows" precede
the main flock by a few days and it seems to be their chief duty to
clear the way for the main flock to arrive at the "Old Mission"
of Capistrano. (The gardens at the Mission San Juan Capistrano) With
the arrival of early dawn on St. Joseph's Day, the little birds begin
to arrive and begin rebuilding their mud nests, which are clinging to
the ruins of the old stone church of San Juan Capistrano.
The arches of the two story, high vaulted Chapel were left bare and exposed, as the roof collapsed during the earthquake of 1812. This Chapel, said to be the largest and most ornate in any of the missions, now has a more humble destiny--that of housing the birds that St. Francis loved so well.
After the summer spent within the sheltered walls
of the Old Mission in San Juan Capistrano, the swallows take flight
again, and on the Day of San Juan, October 23, they leave after circling
the Mission bidding farewell to the "JEWEL OF ALL MISSIONS"
San Juan Capistrano, California (quoted from: http://www.sanjuancapistrano.net
) |
